Lifting hook with unloading link



Jan. 12, 1965 R. w. HOLDER LIFTING HOOK WITH UNLOADING LINK Filed Aug.16, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V! N TOR RONALD W. H01. 05/? A ffomey Jan.12, 1965 R. w. HOLDER LIFTING HOOK WITH UNLOADING LINK 3 Sheet s-Sheet 2Filed Aug. 16, 1963 PIE-'- 5 //V VE/V T0 RONALD M. HOLDER By M A flarneyJan. 12, 1965 R- w. HOLDER LIFTING HOOK WITH UNLOADING LINK 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 16, l963 //V VE' N 70/? RONALD n. HOLDERAttorney United States Patent 3,165,344 LIFTING HGOK WITH UNLOADING LINKRonald W. Holder, 144 Maple St., Manchester, Conn.

Filed Aug. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 302,529

3 Claims. (Cl. 294--67) vide animproved apparatus, as set forth above,which includes a pair of -c" lifting-hooks connected in parallel spacedrelation espacially suitable for handling elongated articles such asmetal billets, bars and the like; a bail connectedv with the pair of Clifting-hooks; and a unique latching means on the bail whereby the bailcan be locked in a position to render the apparatus self-unloading orself-loading by manipulation of the crane hook by the crane operator.

As a corollary to the above, it is another. object of my invention toprovide a C lifting-hook apparatus which is completely manipulatable bythe crane operator to load,

carry and unload elongated objects without the assistance It is'afurther object of my invention to provide a G lifting-hook apparatus ofthe character described which can be easily loaded andunloaded inclosely-confined areas.

after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, inwhich: t

FIGURE l is a front elevational view;

'FIGURE Z is a side elevational view;

FIGURES 3 through 7 are partial elevational views partly in sectionshowing the sequence of operation of the bail-latching mechanism of theinvention from approach to latching position to release from latchingposition;

FIGURE 8 is a developed view of the cam slot of the invention; and IFIGURES 9 through 14 are generally schematic illustrations of theseveral steps in. a sequence of operation of the apparatus of theinvention being used for transporting a load of billets from the coolingbeds to a shipping car. I

Referring more particularlyto the drawings, reference numeral 2designates generally the apparatus of the invention which includes apair of upright substantially C-shape members 4 arranged in spacedparallel relation. Each of the members 4 is formed with a lowerloadbearing arm 6, an upper arm 8 spaced above and extendingsubstantially parallel with the load-bearing arm 6 and a connecting arm10 integral with and extending between the arms 6 and 8 at one endthereof.

A separator beam 12 having an inverted T-slot 14 in its upper sideintermediate the ends thereof is connected with and extends between theconnecting arms 10 of the members 4, as best shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Ashaft 16 is journaled at its ends in depending projections 18 on theupper arms 8 of the C-shape members 4. The shaft 16 extends transverselybetween the C-shape members and carries thereon a bail 20 which isrigidly afiixed to the shaft by means of U-bolts 22. The shaft 16 isrotatable in anti-friction bearings 24 contained in the projections 18so that the bail is tiltable between the C-shape members from asubstantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position,as shown by solid lines and broken lines, respectively, in FIGURE 2.

These and other objects will become more apparent A sleeve 26 having acircumferential flange 28 intermediate its ends is rigidly mounted onthe bail by means of bolts 30 which pass through the flange 28 and thebody of the bail and are secured bynuts 32; As best shown in FIGURES land 2, sleeve 26 is disposed with its longitudinal axis extending normalto the bail and its ends projecting beyond opposite faces of the bail. Astop frame which includes an abutment plate 34 may be rigidly mounted onthe upper arms 8 with the abutment plate projecting above the C-shapemembers and extending transversely therebetween so as to be engageableby the closed forward end 36 of the sleeve 26 to thereby limit forwardmovement of the bail.

The opposite or rearward end 38 of sleeve 26 is formed with areduced-diameter: opening which forms a circumferential shoulder 39 Acarn barrel 40 is slidably mounted in the sleeve 26 for relative axialand rotatable The cam barrel 40 is formed with an end portion 42 whichnormally projects outwardly of the movement therein.

. shoulder 45 at its proximate end and has formed thereon at its distalend a substantially rectangularly-shaped latch 44 which is adapted tocooperatively engage the inverted T-slot 14 in the separator beam 12 tolock the bail 20 in horizontal position, as best shown in FIGURE 5 Theouter surface of the main body 'of the cam barrel 40 within the sleeve26 is provided with a circumferentially-extend ing cam slot 46 which isadapted to be engaged by cam followers 48 formed on the inside of thesleeve 26 to effect -degree rotation of the cam barrel on relative exialmovement between the cam barrel and sleeve in one direction, as will bemore fully explained hereinafter. i

A helical tension spring 50 is disposed in the sleeve 26 with one endbearing against the closed end 36 of the sleeve and its other endbearing against the main body of the cam barrel to constantly urge thelatter away from the closed end of the sleeve.

A clevis 52 is attached to and projects from the free end of the bail 20for attachment to the hook H of an overhead crane (not shown).

When it is desired to utilize the apparatus of the invention forunloading or loading, the bail 20 is locked in horizontal position sothat the apparatus will tilt when it is raised by the crane hook H. Thisis done by lowering the apparatus to the fioor or'other supportingsurface and tilting the bail to a substantially horizontal positionbetween the C-shape members 4 by further lowering of the crane hookafter the apparatus has been lowered to the floor. As the bail islowered to horizontal position, the latch 44 enters the inverted T-slot14 in the separator beam 12 (FIGURE 3). After the latch has entered theinverted T-slot 14, the shoulder 45 on the end of the projecting portion42 of the cam barrel engages the top of the separator beam 12 andprevents further downward movement of the cam barrel (FIGURE 4).However, due to the weight of the bail 20, the sleeve 26 movesdownwardly along the cam barrel compressing the spring 50 after theshoulder 45 of the cam barrel engages the beam 12. As the sleeve movesdownwardly relative to the cam barrel, the cam followers 48 move alongthe cam slot 46 to force the cam barrel 40 and integral latch 44 torotate 90 degrees so that the latch is locked in the inverted T-slot 14and the bail is secured to the separator beam in substantiallyhorizontal position (FIGURE 5). With the bail 20 thus locked inhorizontal position, the C-shaped members 4 will tilt when the apparatusis lifted Patented Jan. 12, 1965 the crane hook can be manipulated toposition load bearing arms 6 under a load of articles to be carriedafter which the bail is unlocked and raised to vertical position.

When the load'has been carried to its destination, the crane book canagain be manipulated to lock the bail in horizontal position so that theapparatus will'tilt and the load will be dumped therefrom when theapparatus is lifted, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

When the apparatus is lifted with the bail 20 secured in horizontalposition (FIGURE downward pressure is removed from the sleeve 26 andspring 59 causes the sleeve to move upwardly along the main body portionof the cam barrel 40 until the sleeve shoulder 39 abuts the shoulder 41on the cam barrel. During such upward relative movement of the sleeve26, the cam followers 48 travel upwardly .alongvertical legs of the camslot 46 so that the cam barrel is not rotated and the latch 44 remainslocked in the inverted T-slot 14.

As shown developed in, FIGURE 8, cam slot 46 has a' substantiallysawtooth. configuration consisting of a plurality of angular legs 54connected by vertical legs 56.

In operation, to transfer a group of billets B from a cooling bed or hotbed 58 to a gondola car G, the apparatus of the invention, with the bail20 locked in horizontal position, is lowered and the crane hook H ismanipulated between the rails of the bed to position the load-bearingarms 6 on the floor under the billets, as

. shown diagrammatically in FIGURES 9 and 10. The

crane hook H is then lowered to cause the sleeve'26 to travel downwardlyalong the main body portion of the cam barrel (FIGURE 10); During thisdownward movement of the sleeve relative to the cam barrel, .camfollowers48 travel along angular legs 54 of the cam slot forcing the cambarrel to rotate 90 degrees (FIGURE 10.) Rotation of cam barrel 40causes the latch. 44 to turn in the inverted T-slot 14 to a position foregress therefrom (FIGURE 7). The bail is then raised to verticalposition, and the apparatus is lifted by further raising of the cranehook to engage and remove the group of billets from the bed 58, as showndiagrammatically in FIGURE 11. The loaded apparatus is then transportedto the gondola car G and lowered to rest on the door of the car by thecrane, as shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 12.

After the loaded apparatus has been lowered to the gondola car floor,the bail 20 is tilted to horizontal positi'on, as shown diagrammaticallyin FIGURE 13, and secured to the separator beam 12 by means of the latch44, asdescribed hereinbefore. With the bail 20 thus secured inhorizontal position, the crane hook H is raised to lift and tilt theapparatus, dump the group of billets, and remove the apparatus from thegondola car, as shown diagrammatically in FIGURE l4.

, 4,; rel 40 and during such movement of the sleeve, cam followers 48travel upwardly along vertical legs' 56 of the cam slot 46 so that thecambarrel is not rotated and the latch 44 remains locked in the invertedT-slot..14.

It should now be apparent that I have accomplished the objects initiallyset forth. I-have provided an improved carrying apparatus, forelongatedfobjec'ts which is adapted to be suspended from the hook of anoverhead crane and which can be loaded and unloaded by manipulation ofthe crane hookby the. crane operator without theassistance of afioorman. I have provided an improved lifting devicehaving a'bail and aunique baillatching means whereby the bail can be locked in a posi--tion to render the device self-loading and self-unloading bymanipulation of-the crane hook by the'crane operator.

1 have provided an improved lifting device which can be easily loadedand unloaded in'closely confined areas.

While one embodiment of my invention-has been shown and described, itwill'be apparentthat other adaptafrom the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus adapted to be suspended from an overhead crane for carryingarticles which comprises a pair of substantially O-shape upright'members arranged in spaced parallel relation, each of said membersincluding a lower load-bearing arm, an-upper-arm spaced above saidload-bearing arm and extending substantially parallel therewith and aconnecting arm portion extending between said arms at'one end thereof, aseparator beam connected with and extending between the connecting armportions of said C-shape'membergsaid separatorybeam having aninvertedT-slot in the upper surface thereof intermediate its ends, a bailpivoted to and disposed between said'upper arms intermediate the endsthereof, and rotatable means on said bail adapted toc'ooperativelyengage said inverted T-slot to lock'said bail in position between saidconnecting arm portionswhen said bail is-pivoted toward said sep-Whenthe apparatus is initially lifted with the bail 20 arator beam.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in'whichsaid rotatable means'includesa barrel cam, asleeve secured. to

said bail, saidcam being slidable axially and rotatable about itslongitudinal axis in'said sleeve, a projection on' said barrel camextending beyond said sleeve, cam fo1- lowers in said sleeve forrotating saidcarn whereby to effect relative axial and rotative movementbetween said cam and said sleeve on pivoting of said bail toward saidbeam and engagement of said projection in said inverted T-slot.

3. Apparatus as defined by claimj2 inwhich the axis of the barrel cam isnormal to the plane of the'bail.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS tionsand modifications may be made without departing

1. APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE SUSPENDED FROM AN OVERHEAD CRANE FOR CARRYINGARTICLES WHICH COMPRISES A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY C-SHAPE UPRIGHT MEMBERSARRANGED IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS INCLUDING ALOWER LOAD-BEARING ARM, AN UPPER ARM SPACED ABOVE SAID LOAD-BEARING ARMAND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL THEREWITH AND A CONNECTING ARMPORTION EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID ARMS AT ONE END THEREOF, A SEPARATOR BEAMCONNECTED WITH AND EXTENDING BETWEEN THE CONNECTING ARM PORTIONS OF SAIDC-SHAPED MEMBERS, SAID SEPARATOR BEAM HAVING AN